Dear Abbi,

On my commute to work this morning I broke up a Nuclear Family.  I was raised by my grandmother, and most of the kids I knew growing up had divorced parents, so I didn’t know how to act.  I know you’re not supposed to talk to them, or get too close, but the Mom looked so tired this morning, and I thought it would be nice to give her my seat on the subway(despite the nasty looks and gasps I got from other commuters).  I stood and held the upper pole to support myself and realized that I was now in between the Mom and the Dad.  I had done it, and it was too late, and every one could see it.  The Daughter cried and banged the subway car doors and the Son put his headphones on.  The other passengers shook their heads and sneered at me.  I didn’t know!  I feel terrible.  There should be some sort of handbook about how to act around them!  How can I ever forgive myself?

I’m Sorry World.

Dunlap, Maine

Dear Sorry,

I don’t really know what to say to you.  I want to be helpful, because that is my job, but you know (or should) know the rules of engagement when it comes to interacting with Nuclear Families.  “You should NOT, by any means engage with part of the Nuclear Family without the whole.  You should NOT touch a Nuclear Family.  You should NOT laugh at Nuclear Families jokes.”  This isn’t a “handbook”, but it is clearly posted in most public squares.  I’m sorry to be stern, but this is with the good intention of preserving these rare breeds.  I believe that you can get past this, but you have to learn from mistakes like these.  That is what life is all about, and what Nuclear Families are all about.

Best of Luck,

Abbi